Simmons Inching Closer to Candidacy

Simmons said that, if he runs, he would face a significant fundraising disadvantage against Dodd. Still, he believes he would be financially competitive enough to run a formidable statewide campaign.
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“He’ll go to his pals in the banking industry and get lots of money — and I won’t have that opportunity. But I don’t believe that Senate offices are meant to be bought and sold,” Simmons said.

Simmons has been talking with Sen. John Cornyn, who heads the NRSC, and sounds more and more like he’s on the path to becoming a candidate. Simmons would start with disadvantages in fundraising and national mood, but as he himself said, he’s overcome such things before. In 2000, he was able to knock off another longtime incumbent whose star had fallen because he was perceived as being out of touch. Is Chris Dodd like Sam Gejdenson? Well, not quite. But there are enough parallels to make it interesting.

Simmons says he’ll make his decision by mid-March.

Also note Simmons’s swipe at the governor’s office at the end of the Capitol Watch piece, where he says he’s happy being out of state government:

6 responses to “Simmons Inching Closer to Candidacy”

Rob Simmons will be a breath of fresh air. He is a moderate, who knows what he is talking about. He is truely a man of the people who cares about those who need caring about, especially in these times. Dodd’s time has passed, he has become a Washington guy not a Connecticut guy. Simmons has the experience and know how. CT will be a better place in 2010 if Rob Simmons is in the Senate.

lol. Simmons isn’t a man of the people. He’s an ego-driven politician who dreams of getting back into power, and back to DC.

I can’t wait to hear what Rob is going to promise. Will he promise to support Obama on the American economy? Will he promise to vote with Democrats on health care, on the environment, on corporate regulation? Or will he promise to be a staunch ideologue, like his buddy Chris Healy, who recently blogged that the stimulus package, any stimulus package, made no sense?

In any case, I would pay to hear the contrast between what Simmons will say to his base, as opposed to the re-packaging he and Healy are going to try to sell to CT voters.

In any case, I would pay to hear the contrast between what Simmons will say to his base, as opposed to the re-packaging he and Healy are going to try to sell to CT voters.

Simmons won’t have to be re-packaged. He’s perfectly positioned to make a serious run at Dodd. Simmons has a solid record to contrast with Dodd (CT business advocate vs. the beltway insider).

If anything our senior Senator is going to have to re-make himself after the last few years. His poll numbers didn’t collapse without good reason. Dodd’s clearly out of touch with his home state of Iowa Connecticut.

lol. Simmons isn’t a man of the people. He’s an ego-driven politician who dreams of getting back into power, and back to DC.

Also note Simmons’s swipe at the governor’s office at the end of the Capitol Watch piece, where he says he’s happy being out of state government: “I’m a free man – out from under the influence of moody people.”

That’s cute, Robby. And I like you. You seem like an OK guy.

But maybe you want the governor with a 75 percent approval rating to hold a fund-raiser for you and don’t want to suddenly find her schedule is oh-so-full.